Krishna Van Buren, RVT
Hospital Director
Our Hospital Director, Krishna Van Buren, RVT, comes to us with a wealth of experience in veterinary medicine. Over her career, she has worn many hats. Krishna got her start over 30 years ago right here in Rancho Palos Verdes, working for Dr. Lauhoff, at the Animal Hospital of Golden Cove which was located in the Golden Cove Shopping Center. In fact, it is the very space where PVAH got its start after Dr. Lauhoff retired. While working with Dr. Lauhoff, Krishna was earning her degree in Economics at UC Irvine. Krishna then returned to school to meet the requirements to sit for the National and State of California Veterinary Technician certification boards.
Krishna began her long career with Veterinary Centers of America when Dr. Lauhoff sold his hospital to them in 1996. In 2000 Krishna became a Regional Operations Director for VCA overseeing 13 hospitals and a boarding kennel in the Southern California region. As a Regional Operations Director, Krishna had responsibility for the financial health of the hospitals as well as the day to day operations.
Born and raised on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Krishna lives here in Rancho Palos Verdes with her husband and children. Her family also includes dogs, cats, chickens, and horses.
Shanna Hobbs
Shanna Hobbs joined the team at Point Vicente Animal Hospital in 2015, after managing VCA Clarmar Animal Hospital, in the Torrance area for many years. We feel very fortunate to have Shanna on our team. She has worked in veterinary medicine since 1998, and brings with her a wealth of experience. She has worked a number of positions in the hospital over her career and fully understands the needs of both clients and patients and loves helping them. Her feline family consists of two older kitties, and the third is her younger “brat of a cat”, and her canine family includes three chihuahua's named Lola, Ben & Leo.
Jennifer Lewis
Shahzeen Ali
Receptionist
Shahzeen has a degree in zoo biology and has been working in the veterinary field since 2008. She joined our team at Point Vicente Animal Hospital in 2014. Her favorite thing about working in veterinary medicine is helping animals get better. She especially enjoys seeing all of the different types of pets that are patients at PVAH.
Stephanie Latterman
Receptionist
Stephanie began with PVAH in 2004 as an intern. She left to attend UCLA and earn a Degree in Biology. Stephanie also studied animal behavior and conservation in Uganda. Returning to PVAH in March 2018 Stephanie joined our amazing reception team. Stephanie has a puggle named "Bruin" and many many cats including 2 Maine Coon mixes named Lily and Ares.
Demetrio Gomez
Veterinary Technician
Demetrio joined PVAH in 2018. Demetrio is trilingual speaking Spanish, English & proudly Zapotec, the indigenous language of his ancestors. He is a founding member of Quialana en el Exterior, a Oaxacan cultural organization, created in 2005. While the organization primarily works to promote the languafe, culture and gastronomy of Oaxaca, in recent months they gathered and distributed free food & supplies for Los Angelenos effected by the Corona Virus pandemic. Demetrio spends time volenteering at the Marine Animal Care Center in San Pedro as well as I Heart Willmington, a resident-led community movement that focuses on creating positive change. He enjoys working will all types of animals and is excited to help with the exotic animals we see at PVAH.
Dawn Livesey
Born and raised in Southern California, Dawn has been in the Veterinary field since 2014. Dawn is a hard worker that love to help clients and their pets. She is also studying to become an RVT. Dawn spend every Sunday at the Marine Mammal Care Center where she cares for sea lions and elephant seals.
Kim Kaluger, RVT
Registered Veterinary Technician
Kim is originally from Ohio and went to Ohio State University for Advertising. She moved to California 24 years ago to raise a family in Redondo Beach. She decided to join the Veterinary field several years ago and worked hard to get her RVT license. It was hard work while raising a family and keeping track of her dogs, cats, bunny and guinea pig.
Vivian Ramirez
Veterinary Technician
